Good investigative journalism, or Honey Badger harassment?

You make the call.

Tyrann Mathieu and his parents, Tyrone and Sheila Mathieu, are firing back after publication of a Sports Illustrated cover story that they say went too far.

All three declined to be interviewed for SI's article, which Tyrann Mathieu described as "ridiculous" after he read it Tuesday.

Tyrone Mathieu say Sports Illustrated refused to accept their decision not to be interviewed for the story.

"They called from blocked numbers repeatedly, asking me why I was dodging them," Tyrone Mathieu said.  "They came to my home and that of my elderly mother on multiple occasions."

How bad did it get? The Honey Badger had to hire a lawyer to write a cease and desist letter to reporter Pete Thamel and Sports Illustrated.

You can read that here.

Over at Friends of the Program, blogger Bunkie Perkins recalls allegations regarding Thamel’s persistence while investigating the Cam Newton saga two years ago, when Thamel was a lead college sports writer for the New York Times, and has this YouTube capture of a local TV station’s report on the matter.

 

What’s your take on this? If the allegations of bribery are true (SI’ denies the claims), what does that say about the state of investigative journalism, and why would any college sports program cooperate with news organizations that would bribe accusers and try to elicit false testimony?

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Honey Badger apparently has NCAA problems

While the alleged violations are secondary and most likely could be handled, former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu could see his return to the field complicated.

First is SI’s cover story from Pete Thamel, documenting the Honey Badger’s troubled upbringing and ties to some rather unsavory characters. That story also included details on what is likely impermissible behavior in promotion of club events. Those types of violations are common across the country and rarely have a substantial impact on the kids’ eligibility, once certain conditions are met.

But ByLaw Blog’s John Infante indicates that timing is everything, and that if the school really wants to give Mathieu a path back to the team, they’ll have to move a little more quickly than some originally thought.

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The more immediate issue is that Mathieu’s return to the LSU team may now include a long and complex reinstatement case with the NCAA. Gathering information takes time, especially from individuals not covered by NCAA rules. It could take a couple of months for LSU to complete the case documentation, plus another few weeks for the NCAA to make a decision. Throw in the possibility of an appeal and things could take even longer.

That means LSU needs to decide as soon as possible whether Mathieu will be reinstated. A case like this cannot be started after summer school, for instance, and it be assured that a final decision will be made before the season. At the very least, LSU would need to decide what conditions Mathieu needs to meet to rejoin the team, and begin working on his case as long as he holds up his end of the bargain.

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Judging from Thamel’s story this morning, secondary NCAA violations are the least of Mathieu’s demons. Drugs, association with a thuggish culture and dealing with the mental and emotional issues of his upbringing seem to spell trouble for the talented player who made such a splash last season.

While LSU should make their decision swiftly, what they need to do more than anything else is make sure the Honey Badger exorcises all of those other demons and gets back on a path to citizenship. Stardom should wait.

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Fans troll the Honey Badger Wikipedia Page

Right after Les Miles announcement that Tyrann Mathieu was being dismissed from the LSU football team, fans started trolling the Honey Badger’s Wikipedia Page.

One early entry had Mathieu transferring to Alabama to play for Nick Saban.

Before I could get there and screen-capture the entry, the one above replaced it.

The page has since been locked, preventing unregistered and unconfirmed users from editing it.

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LSU’s “Meaux” Isom has already worked out with Honey Badger (video)

She is the reigning Homecoming Queen. She has lettered for four year’s on the LSU women’s soccer team. Now, she’s shooting for a roster spot on the LSU football team as a placekicker. “Meaux” Isom is no stranger to attention and apparently, she’s no stranger to competition with guys already starring for the Tigers.

For example, she’s already gone head to head with Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, and held her own pretty well. Watch for yourself.

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Helmet Tap to @Andy_Staples on Twitter (but beware his avatar)

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